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ORBITAL WELDING
When Weld Joint Quality has the Highest Priority-Orbital Welding
Unlike conventional welding, orbital welding gives the welding operator the ability to make consistent, high integrity welds repeatedly at speeds impossible to achieve by manual processes.
Orbital welding is a semi− or fully−automatic (GTAW/TIG) welding process in which the welding arc travels 360 degrees around the subject without interruption. This application is used where the integrity of the weld joint has the highest quality requirements.
Orbital welding was developed in the 1960's when the aerospace industry demanded a superior means of joining critical lines. This application became practical in the mid 1980's when combination power supply/control systems were developed making orbital welding systems portable. Today, orbital welding systems are capable of storing multiple welding parameters for a variety of material applications. Essentially, the ability of a skilled welder is built into a welding device that is capable of producing countless, identical welds.
The process is conceptually simple; tubes/pipes are held in place while an orbital weld head rotates an electrode creating a welding arc around the weld joint. There are many reasons for using orbital welding equipment.
- Weld Integrity − Orbital welding systems outperform the best skilled welder. It is often the only means to reach the weld quality requirements of an industry can be achieved.
- Productivity − An orbital welding system will drastically outperform the speed of manual welders.
- Consistency − This process eliminates the normal variability, inconsistencies, errors and defects of manual welding. Often, the need for radiographic inspections are reduced or eliminated.
- Orbital welding systems are capable of joining both pipe and tubing.
- Orbital welding systems are capable of both butt and socket weld joint designs.
